Industry Update

Alyssa Vaughn, Lawrenceville, Ga., was announced as the winner of Walker Mfg.’s Get Out Front Mower Giveaway. Vaughn and her husband Chris received a Walker Model MT Grass Handling System with a 48-inch deck, delivered by Walker distributor Lawn Equipment Enterprises of Waycross, Ga., and local dealer Howard Bros. of North Atlanta, Ga.

The giveaway encompassed 30 days of registration, 106,728 entries and 290 prizes given away-including the tractor and deck. The contest was a kickoff of the newly updated www.walkermowers.com.

CPEC and Turf Teq Partner Up

Compact Power Equipment Centers (CPEC) and Turf Teq have partnered up to offer new products through their rental and sales networks. Under the agreement, CPEC will be rolling out Turf Teq’s 1035 PRI Landscape Rake and 1305BR Power Broom to their rental stores located in select locations of the Home Depot Tool Rental Center.

Shemin Adds Three Sites in Texas

Shemin, The Landscape Supply Company, opened its three newest locations in Texas. Adding the three former Skinner locations brings Shemin’s total number of locations to 29 and expands its market into Texas. The new sites are in Manor (Austin area), Lewisville (Dallas area) and Houston. Shemin plans to expand the product line over time at these locations to include a broad mix of hardlines, turf, irrigation and lighting products.

Swingle Announces Hires and Promotions

Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care announced several new hires and promotions. Mike Tilford was promoted to enhancement services field supervisor in Fort Collins, Colo. He has worked for Swingle since 2005 and is a graduate of Cornell College.

Paul Kehl has joined the Denver, Colo., branch as a sales representative. He has worked for Almstead Tree & Shrub Care and SavATree and holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University.

John Swayze was promoted to protection services field supervisor in Denver. He has worked for Swingle for nearly three and a half years, during which he has been cross-trained in PHC, trim, landscape and Christmas decor.

Dan Collins was promoted to enhancement services field supervisor. He has nearly three years of combined experience with Swingle and has been cross-trained in trim, landscape and Christmas decor.

Paul Osborne has joined Swingle as fleet manager. He has served as a fleet manager with companies such as Sara Lee Bakery and Loomis Fargo.

Bill Bowman was promoted to protection services supervisor with a focus on plant health care. He has worked for Swingle since 2006 as a PHC technician.

Agrium Supports Earth Day Programs

Agrium Advanced Technologies partnered with three Colorado-based organizations on Earth Day 2010 programs to help improve green spaces and bolster environmental stewardship and sustainability. Agrium donated more than 500 pounds of earth-friendly fertilizers to two Professional Landcare Network Day of Service projects and provided 30 volunteers to help the High Plains Environmental Center restore natural areas in northern Colorado with native plants. The fertilizer donations went to the Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals and the department of horticulture and landscape architecture at Colorado State University.

Buffalo Turbine’s Walker attachment.

Buffalo Turbine Begins 11th Year with GHS

GHS Corp., a Walker distributor located in Denton, N.C., has been assigned as Buffalo Turbine’s North American distributor for the Walker Front Mounted Turbine Debris Blower attachment. GHS has distributed the attachment since 1999 and serves eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

Valley Towing Partners with Revstone

Valley Towing Products has entered a partnership agreement with Revstone Industries, LLC. Under this agreement, Valley will become part of REM-Tec, Revstone’s aftermarket group of businesses, and continue to conduct business under the name of Valley Towing Products. The existing management team will remain in place, including George Caplea, president and CEO; Richard Marsden, CFO; Larry Fisher, vice president of sales and marketing; Chris Fudala, vice president of engineering; and Brian Rishell, vice president of global sourcing and purchasing.

Jacklin Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Jacklin Seed marks its 75th business anniversary in 2010. The organization, which is now known in the industry as Jacklin Seed by Simplot, was started in 1936 by Arden Jacklin and his father, brothers and other relatives in Dishman, Wash. Simplot Co. acquired Jacklin in 1997. Today, the company seasonally employs 100 people, primarily in Idaho and Oregon. Jacklin operates the largest privately funded grass research facility in the world at its site in Post Falls, Idaho, and sells grass seed to a variety of customers.